The “2024 AAPI Cultural Festival,” celebrating the culture and art of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, was successfully held on May 11th at the McNichols Civic Center Building in Denver, Colorado. Organized by the Denver Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission (DAAPIC) under the Office of Human Rights and Community Partnerships, the event ran from 10 AM to 4 PM.
The festival honored the cultural heritage, values, and perspectives of the AAPI community, promoting inclusivity and a more equitable society. Attendees enjoyed community performances, gallery exhibitions, booth sales, and diverse food offerings from food trucks. Highlights included the “Taste of Tradition – AAPI Food Truck Festival” and the “Marketplace and Resource Hub,” showcasing traditional mosaics of various AAPI cultures and fostering community engagement.
The Korean community was represented by Colorado Times, Second Home Community, M Mart, and BBQ Chicken Denver. Colorado Times and Second Home Community promoted the upcoming “Korean Fest Colorado,” offering hanbok-wearing experiences and selling mixed coffee and cotton candy. M Mart distributed popular Korean snacks like Choco Pie and jelly for free. Volunteers from Colorado Times showcased Korean traditional beauty by wearing hanbok and performing the haegeum, a traditional Korean string instrument. BBQ Chicken Denver quickly sold out various chicken dishes, highlighting the popularity of K-chicken.
Various vendors promoted their businesses, including Virgil Dickerson of Kream Kimchi, who sold kimchi and pickled items made from his Korean mother’s recipes, and Gini Kimchi, operated by print artist Gini Kim, who showcased and sold her uniquely designed artwork.
The “AAPI Art Exhibition” featured diverse artworks exploring themes of identity, belonging, and cultural pride. DAAPIC Chair Jo Ree Jang thanked partners and participants for their contributions.
For more information, visit www.aapiculturefest.com
According to the latest census data, Colorado is home to 340,241 Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander residents, comprising at least 21 different Asian ethnic groups. The Denver Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission (DAAPIC) serves as a liaison and facilitator between Denver’s AAPI community and the city’s offices, aiming to raise awareness and visibility of the AAPI community.
The 1st Annual Asian Cultural Festival concluded successfully, with plans for continuation next year.
